Cathedral christening

[GRAZ]

Hi All
I have a couple of questions that i hope members might be able to help me with, as i don't know anything about Georgian attitudes towards illegitimate children.
I've found out that my ancestor was born illegitimatly in 1793, it appears that he was born and christened in Manchester Cathedral.
Does anybody know if this would be an ordinary occurance for an illegitimate baby, or would it have been arranged by the father, who was a well to do organist and composer at a Manchester church.
Also on my ancestors birth entry his fathers name has been added, although it appears to have been added later. Would this be with the fathers permission or is it probable that the mother added it herself.
Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Graham

 

[romany rose]

welcome
Graz
Sorry I have not seen you on the site and just wanted to say welcome
Romany Rose

 

[romany rose]

In answer to your question
I have come across a similar situation before with regards to a birth in Liverpool

in that case the birth had been written in at a later date (she later found out it was so that the poor person could recieve -`poor help`):'(
although she could find no connection between the name and (occupation that was also wrote down)
so based on the fact that you know who the father probably is then it may be a fair assumption to say thats him
I know it doesn`t help you much== I am sorry has on this site we do like to help people
plase feel free to post your queries=is there anything else that we may help you with?
helpusall
take care
Romany Rose x

 

[Guy]

Many present day cathedrals started life as the parish church, Manchester Cathedral. being one of them.
It started life as a Parish Church, became a collegiate church in 1422 and a cathedral in 1847
Cheers
Guy

 

[jay]

An illegitimate birth was no obstacle to being christened. There are many such recorded in parish records. As the parish records were legal documents even if the father's name was recorded at a later date, I would be inclined to treat it as being correct.

Jay.

 

[p.risboy]

The father would have to admit the child is his, and maybe takes responsibility for the child's upkeep.

How do you know the name was added later, and by who(was it dated). The mother would not be allowed to add anything to the parish regs, in her own handwriting

As Jay has said, an illegitimate birth is no obstacle to being baptized/christened. It's nothing to with Georgian attitudes, it has more to do with spirituality, and the prospects of parish relief, in the future.

I think you would need more proof of the fathers name, rather than one that was added later in the registry. eg. Bastardy bonds or orders.

 

[Guy]

snip

How do you know the name was added later, and by who(was it dated). The mother would not be allowed to add anything to the parish regs, in her own handwriting

snip

True however that does not mean it did not happen.
many Parish Registers include additions and deletions and indeed scratching out of entries.
Some even include pages or part pages torn out.

In the past many vicars cared little for the security of parish registers. In my experience it was as late as the 1970s that vicars would even stay in the same room when one was leafing through a register.
Though I am sure others have different experiences.
Cheers
Guy

 

[GRAZ]

Thanks for the help everyone, it's much appreciated.
Guy you've answered one of my questions, Manchester Cathedral was a church when my ancestor was christened.
Ancestry shows two pages of the of the Baptism register, both pages are written in the same hand, and are all set out the same, for example -

Peter son of Peter and Elizabeth Henshaw

My ancestors entry is shown as -

Ralph son of Sarah Hephard & Robert Barber
born Jan 1 1793

The fathers name and birthdate have clearly been added at a later date.

I don't have any clear evidence that Robert is the father, but it seems a possibility, as it fits family history, and characteristics.